Flight-sharing Request Revived

November 16, 1999|By Tribune staff.

American Airlines and British Airways on Monday renewed a request to regulators to allow them to share flights in the United States and Europe.

The application came a week after British Midland Airlines announced plans to join the United Airlines-dominated Star Alliance. Under that pact, Lufthansa Airlines, a founding member of the Star Alliance, agreed to purchase 20 percent of British Midland's stock.

British Airways has objected to British Midland's membership in the Star Alliance, arguing it would allow Star partners to dominate access to London's Heathrow Airport and Frankfurt, Germany.

American spokesman Mark Slitt said the Ft. Worth-based airline is seeking to share flights with British Airways on 40 routes in Europe, while British is seeking to share flights with American on 31 U.S. routes.